Results for “Entropy”
9 terms
Entropy
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J/K
A fundamental thermodynamic property measuring the degree of microscopic disorder, randomness, or thermal energy unavailable for mechanical work in a system.
dS = dQ_rev / T, S = kB ln Ω
Entropy in Biological Systems
Biophysics & Medical Physics
J/K (Entropy)
The thermodynamic concept describing how open biological systems maintain high internal structural order by expelling heat and entropy to their environment.
dS_system + dS_environment ≥ 0 (Schrödinger: 'Living on Negative Entropy')
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J/K
The law asserting that spontaneous physical processes increase total entropy in isolated systems, placing fundamental limits on heat engine efficiency.
ΔS_total ≥ 0
Superfluidity
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
K (Lambda Transition Temperature)
A macroscopic quantum state of matter where a fluid flows with exactly zero viscosity and zero kinetic entropy.
Viscosity η = 0 (Below Lambda point T_λ = 2.17 K)
Third Law of Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J/K
The law stating that as system temperature approaches absolute zero (0 K), entropy of a pure crystalline substance approaches a minimum constant value of zero.
lim (T → 0) S = 0
Boltzmann Constant
Foundations of Physics
J/K
The fundamental constant that converts thermodynamic temperature into microstate kinetic energy per particle.
k = R / Na = 1.380649 × 10⁻²³ J/K
Maxwell Relations
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
Various
A set of thermodynamic equations derived from equality of second partial derivatives of thermodynamic potentials (U, H, F, G).
(∂T/∂V)_S = -(∂P/∂S)_V, (∂T/∂P)_S = (∂V/∂S)_P, etc.
Partition Function
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
Dimensionless
The central mathematical function in statistical mechanics that encodes statistical properties of a system in thermodynamic equilibrium.
Z = ∑ exp(-E_i / (kB T)) = ∑ g_i exp(-E_i / (kB T))
Protein Folding
Biophysics & Medical Physics
kJ/mol (Conformational Stability)
The physical process by which a polypeptide chain folds spontaneously into a characteristic 3D functional native structure.
Energy Funnel Concept: Minimizing Native State Free Energy G